Evidence supporting the use of: Citrus
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Citrus fruits, particularly lemons and oranges, have a long history of traditional use in the management of coughs, including dry coughs. In many cultures, warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey is a popular home remedy for soothing throat irritation and suppressing cough. The historical basis for this practice lies mainly in the perceived soothing effect of acidic fruit juices on the throat and their high vitamin C content, which is believed to support immune function. However, direct scientific evidence supporting the use of citrus fruits specifically for alleviating dry cough is limited. Most clinical studies focus on vitamin C for immune support rather than as a cough suppressant. While citrus may help keep the throat moist and provide symptomatic relief, and vitamin C is linked to reducing the duration and severity of colds (which can include coughs), there is insufficient research specifically validating citrus for dry cough relief. Thus, its use for this purpose is primarily justified by traditional practices rather than strong scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Citrus
AnemiaAppetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Belching
Body Building
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Capillary Weakness
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Dehydration
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)